The Network of European Blue Schools: get on board!

Find the Blue

European Blue Schools bring the ocean into the classroom. On the journey to becoming a European Blue School, teachers and pupils will improve their understanding of the ocean and develop a sense of responsibility towards our shared planet. Creating awareness and a feeling of responsibility for our ocean (so-called Ocean Literacy) encourages students to become more active and responsible European and global citizens. The program challenges schools to Find the Blue and explore their connections to the ocean while creating networks all across Europe. The Network of European Blue Schools is an initiative of the European Commission, supported by DG MARE and was developed by the EU4Ocean Coalition partners.

Why become a European Blue School?

Schools that take up the Find the Blue challenge shall identify an ocean-based topic that is relevant to their students, and collaborate with their pupils to create a school project. The aim is to make the ocean a relevant part of the school curriculum through project-based learning. Student ownership, collaborations with other organizations and people involved with the ocean and creating a community with the same passion will be key values of these projects. By successfully completing the Find the Blue challenge, schools will receive a European Blue School certification.

All certified European Blue Schools become part of the Network of European Blue Schools, where teachers and students:  

• become agents of change for ocean sustainability;
• share experiences with teachers and students from other schools;
• connect to the wider ocean literacy community.

How to become a European Blue School?

Every project that a school submits to become a European Blue School should achieve the following five compulsory criteria:

1. Develop a project with interlinked activities: A project consists of several complementary activities under the umbrella of one central topic. Enable students to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to explore and investigate an ocean topic, question or problem.
2. Produce a clear output: The initiative encourages students to be active learners and develop a product, object, event or service that can be exhibited or used as a tool for communication. Be resourceful and start creating.
3. Involve all students: Students play an active role in all phases of the project. The teacher facilitates learning and guides students to become independent workers, allowing them to show what they can do.
4. Collaborate with a local partner: Collaborative work is key to success. Invite an expert, marine scientist, NGO, science centre, maritime company and/or government body to help facilitate the creation, implementation and communication of the project. Go to the EU4Ocean Platform members to find a partner!
5. Communicate project results: Let students improve their communication skills and feel more engaged with their local community by talking about the project in a meaningful and informed way, starting with their own social environment.

After successfully completing the project in line with the five compulsory criteria, schools will receive the European Blue School certification. We are happy to accept applications for a range of projects but do encourage teachers to think about developing more complex project ideas that include e.g. participation with other teachers in the school or international collaborations that provide your students with the opportunity to make a real impact and increase the authentic learning experiences beyond the classroom walls.

Below you can find five optional criteria for a teacher who wishes to take their project to the next level:

1. Provide authentic learning experiences: Provide the students with opportunities to Find the Blue both in the classroom and in real-life settings. This initiative allows pupils to apply what they learned in class in hands-on projects with real-life relevance and impact.
2. Work in a multi-disciplinary manner: Explore your topic through many school subjects, allowing access for students with different strengths, viewpoints, and interests. Multi-disciplinary projects provide learning opportunities beyond science. You can incorporate aspects of e.g. languages, history, (water) sport, art, or economy.
3. Mobilize beyond the classroom: This initiative allows you to move beyond your classroom by offering opportunities for collaboration among teachers of different disciplines, diverse age groups, and numerous subjects. The project creates an opportunity to work as a school, and not just a class.
4. Foster land-sea interaction: Schools from coastal areas are invited to collaborate with inland schools to exchange experiences and information on the differences and similarities they observe in their environments, economies, or culture. Cooperation is facilitated via eTwinning.
5. Bring in a European dimension: This initiative facilitates cultural exchange amongst European schools, allowing students to see themselves and their work in a European context and collaborate with peers from across the Union. The initiative offers the opportunity to connect with different partner schools via eTwinning, travel abroad via a funded exchange programme, or develop more permanent collaborations.

Are you up for the challenge? Submit your application!

Is your school ready to take on the Find the Blue challenge? Here are the steps you need to take to start your ride on the wave of change:

Your first step is to download the Handbook for Teachers here. The Handbook outlines the teaching principles behind the European Blue School initiative and the European Blue School certification process. It includes a step-by-step guide for developing your own blue project, ideas and tools that can help you get started, as well as a variety of inspiring projects from all over Europe.

European Schoolnet has published a complementary curriculum analysis here on ocean-related initiatives in schools in Belgium, France, Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Germany, Finland and the UK.

Become part of the large movement to Make Europe Blue and submit your pledge to become a European Blue School here

Applications to receive the certification are now open!

The European Blue School initiative is open to all schools within the European Union and schools that collaborate with schools in the European Union. These schools can apply to receive the certification and can take part in the online European Blue School Community.

The application form is available in English only. No EU-login is required to fill out the application form.

If you have problems with the application form, please contact us at info@blueschools.eu.

Your application is evaluated by reviewers of the Network of European Blue Schools, twice a year.

• Submissions for the 1st semester are accepted between 27 October and 10 December. Applications are reviewed in December.
• Submissions for the 2nd semester are accepted between 15 January and 30 May. Applications are reviewed in June.

If your application matches the above-mentioned five compulsory criteria for projects, you will receive a notification that your school is selected to become a European Blue School. Should the project not fulfill the requirements for certification, we will contact you with further information.

Being part of the Network of European Blue Schools

All successful projects will be showcased on the map of European Blue Schools (European Atlas of the Seas). Every school will receive its own webpage on the Maritime Forum that can be managed and updated. Look at all the members here.

In the Network of European Blue Schools you can find:

• Professional development seminars and other events for teachers by ocean experts
• Access to resources and activities from potential partners in the EU4Ocean Platform
• News and updates
• Funding opportunities
• Opportunities for collaboration